Topological Solutions in Gauge Theory and Their Computer Graphic Representation
ANTHONY J.G. HEY 1,
JOHN H. MERLIN 2,
MARTIN WILLIAM RICKETTS 3,
MICHAEL T. VAUGHN 4, and
DAVID C. WILLIAMS 4
1 Professor in the Department of Electronics and Computer Science, Southampton University, Southampton, SO9 5NH, England.
2 Physics Department, Southampton University, Southampton, SO9 5NH, England.
3 Computer scientist in the Graphics Systems research group at the IBM U.K. Scientific Centre, 2 St. Clements Street, Winchester, SO23 9DR, England.
4 Physics Department, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115.
A diverse range of physical phenomena, both observed and hypothetical, are described by topological solutions to nonlinear gauge field theories. Computer-generated color graphic displays can provide a clear and detailed representation of some of these solutions, which might otherwise be physically unintelligible because of their mathematical complexity. Graphical representations are presented here for two topological solutions: (i) the solutions of a model that represents the filaments of quantized magnetic flux in a superconductor, and (ii) the solutions of an SO(3) gauge theory corresponding to a pair of separated magnetic monopoles. An introduction is provided to the gauge field theories giving rise to these solutions.
